Following a disappointing and heavy 3-0 defeat at home to Leeds United, Millwall boss Gary Rowett confirmed that goalkeeper Matija Sarkic would be out for a considerable amount of time.
The experienced Bartosz Białkowski started between the sticks today at the Den but saw three goals fly past him, two from the Peacocks’ marquee summer signing Joel Piroe and one from Georginio Rutter to put the final nail in Millwall’s coffin.
Sarkic joined the Lions in the summer from Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers for a reported fee of £1.2 million, although fellow Championship outfit Stoke City did try to prise the Montenegrin international away from Molineux before Millwall finalised a deal, according to The Telegraph at the time.
Nonetheless, the 26-year-old chose to make the switch to the London club and has been superb all campaign despite the team’s struggles early on but missed today’s clash against Leeds due to an issue with his quad muscles.
Speaking after the defeat, Rowett revealed that the former Birmingham City shot-stopper will be sidelined for a while [quotes via Southwark News]:
“We’ve had quite a lot of disruption to the team. We’ll be without Matty Sarkic for a while, so again that’s a blow for us.”
The ex-Derby County boss also admitted that defender Joe Bryan and captain Shaun Hutchinson are unavailable:
“Joe Bryan was unavailable today again so that’s another blow. Obviously, our captain Hutchy [Hutchinson] is unavailable and I know you have to put up with that but with a small squad like ours that has a big impact.”
Writer’s View
Losing Sarkic will be a massive blow for Rowett and Millwall. The manager’s ‘for a while’ comments suggest that the keeper will be out for a substantial period of time, weeks or perhaps even months.
Currently sitting 18th with merely seven points, this was not news Millwall fans were hoping to hear after such a humiliating defeat at home.
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